How to Satisfy Your Sex Addiction Symptoms

If you are seeking recovery, your sex addiction symptoms can feel overwhelming. How do you channel that energy and desire in a way that still keeps you on-track? Addiction recovery will never be easy, but it is always possible. Here are a few brass-tacks ways to satisfy your symptoms and stay on the road to recovery.

Get a dopamine hit.

Ultimately, what your body is craving is a powerful hit of dopamine. And since you are refusing to get it via porn or an unhealthy sexual behavior, you need to feed the beast another way. Some other avenues to a dopamine hit are:

While some coping mechanisms may not be the healthiest in the long run, when you’re in survival mode, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to make it to your next step.

Increase your tyrosine levels.

Of the chemicals that make up dopamine, tyrosine is the most important. It is the building block of dopamine. So it’s important (and easy) to make sure you get enough of this protein. Try eating more:

Almonds

Avocados

Bananas

Beef

Chicken

Chocolate

Coffee

Eggs

Green Tea

Watermelon

Yogurt

“Tyrosine is one of the 22 key amino acids that are used for building proteins around the body. In addition to this, however, it also raises the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, namely dopamine and norepinephrine. These are famous for being ‘feel good’ chemicals that can help boost mood and elevate concentration.” –Stephan Gardner

Get a streak going.

Use a calendar or wall chart to boldly mark every day that you are successful in meeting your recovery goals. Seeing your daily achievements visually is incredibly satisfying and motivating. It also helps to create a positive dopamine response in the brain over time.

Take up a different kind of sweaty habit.

Vigorous exercise is one of the best ways to burn off excess energy, reduce anxiety, and create a flood of feel-good chemicals in your brain. Pounding it out on the pavement is a healthy way to channel powerful sexual urges when you have no other outlet. Run, lift weights, cycle, take up a team sport, or join one of those insufferable CrossFit gyms.

Sex addiction symptoms won’t go away on their own.

Even with the best habits, sex addiction symptoms will never go away completely on their own. You need help to recover, and you shouldn’t go at this alone. Reach out for help today.